Wyoming Elk Mule Deer

Unit 117

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Wyoming's Unit 117 elk hunt is administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) as a limited-quota big-game tag. Applicants enter through Wyoming's preference-point draw, where accumulated preference points advance you in line for the unit's limited-quota tag pool.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 117

Where to Find Elk in Unit 117

WGFD manages elk distribution and habitat for Unit 117. Consult the WGFD Hunt Planner and unit management notes for the agency's most current distribution information.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 117

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

WGFD publishes harvest and draw statistics by unit. The chart above reflects the data WGFD reports for the Unit 117 elk tag.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General	29	15	100.0%
Rifle— General	208	86	100.0%
Rifle— General	330	603	54.7%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Wyoming elk tags are drawn through WGFD's preference-point draw. Accumulated preference points advance you in line for the unit's limited-quota tag pool.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 117

Mule Deer Area 117 sits in Wyoming's southwest corner — the north face of the Uinta Mountains and Bear River country around Evanston. Public land access is limited, with most hunting on Bridger-Teton and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest edges, state sections, and HMAs. The unit produces mature 170-180 class bucks with occasional 190+ animals in low-pressure years, but tag allocation has been tight and this is not a high-success meat-hunter unit.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 117

Area 117 mule deer move between high Uinta summer range and sage/juniper winter range at lower elevations.

Early Season (October)

Bucks hold in the high basins and timber pockets of the north-slope Uintas above 9,500 feet. Glass cirques and aspen stands at dawn. Deep hikes pay off.

Mid-Season

As snow accumulates, deer migrate down the Bear River drainage and into the foothill aspen and oakbrush. Mid-elevation benches between 7,500 and 9,000 feet hold most of the herd.

Late Season

Rut activity in late October-early November brings mature bucks into doe groups on lower benches. Focus the sage-juniper edges between Evanston and the forest boundary.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 117

Area 117 is a technical, access-limited hunt that rewards boots-on-the-ground scouting.

Glass the North Slope

The Uinta north slope offers long-range glassing into aspen stringers and timber pockets. Mature bucks bed in the timber and feed on open benches at dawn and dusk.

Stillhunt the Aspen

Aspen stands at 8,500-9,500 feet hold bedded bucks all day. Move slowly with the wind and glass every opening. Shots are typically 100-300 yards.

Migration Routes

Late-October snow triggers migration. Pinch points on the foothill benches between the forest and the Bear River corridor see heavy deer movement. Set up on these routes during storms.

HMA and Walk-In

Wyoming Walk-In blocks near Evanston add access to otherwise private ground. Check the WGFD atlas and plan backup options.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Area 117 rifle mule deer success averages 14-20% — low by Wyoming standards but with meaningful trophy potential. Hunters who invest in scouting and hunt the migration window (late October) raise their odds substantially. Buck age structure skews older than most WY units.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	40	277	14.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 117 mule deer tags are limited quota and draw at 3-6 preference points for non-residents in most years. Wyoming's 75/25 split gives random applicants yearly chances. The unit is more competitive than surrounding units due to its trophy reputation and proximity to Utah hunters.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How are elk tags drawn for Unit 117?

WGFD issues elk tags through Wyoming's preference-point draw, administered by the Department for resident and nonresident applicants.

Where do I find the official WGFD hunt information for this unit?

WGFD posts the Hunt Planner, current regulations, and Applications & Drawings pages on wgfd.wyo.gov. Those resources carry the authoritative boundary, season dates, and quota.

How many preference points for Area 117 deer?

Non-residents typically need 3-6 points. Wyoming's 75/25 random component means even zero-point applicants have a chance, but realistically point accumulation is part of the plan for this unit.

Is this a good first-time Wyoming mule deer hunt?

Not really. Area 117 rewards experienced mule deer hunters with good optics, migration knowledge, and physical fitness. First-timers should look at easier-draw, higher-success units first.

What about wolves and predators?

Bridger-Teton NF has a small wolf presence and active mountain lion habitat. Cougar impacts on deer are a documented factor — another reason to focus on migration-funnel hunting strategies.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

WGFD Hunt Planner — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 117 elk hunt boundaries, Season dates and quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Elk regulation framework, License and tag rules · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Applications & Drawings — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Preference-point draw procedures, Application timelines and fees · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Mule Deer — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 117 boundary, Quota and license type structure, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
Bridger-Teton National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Bridger-Teton NF lands inside Area 117, Travel management, Wilderness areas · accessed 2026-04-17
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: North slope Uinta lands in Area 117, High Uintas Wilderness boundary · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 117 success rates, Buck age structure · accessed 2026-04-17